Justice News

Grand Jury Indicts Two Dallas Men on Federal Felony Offenses Stemming From Their November 2015 Armed Assault on Federal Officers

DALLAS — A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment yesterday charging two Dallas men, Victor Manuel Solorzano, 30, and his cousin, Edgar Solorzano, 23, on felony offenses stemming from their November 19, 2015, armed assault of two federal law enforcement officers in southwest Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

“The charges in this indictment clearly demonstrate that violent drug traffickers will be vigorously prosecuted by this office, particularly when their violence is directed at law enforcement officers, and the punishment they face upon conviction will be substantial,” said U.S. Attorney Parker.

The indictment charges each defendant with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of assault of a federal officer. Victor Solorzano is also charged with two counts, and Edgar Solorzano with one count, of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Victor Solorzano is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

During the early morning hours of November 19, 2015, the defendants, allegedly armed with assault rifles, opened fire on two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force Officers engaged in the performance of their official duties.

That same day, as part of the investigation, Victor Solorzano, was found to be in possession of numerous firearms in furtherance of the commission of a drug trafficking crime, namely possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. If convicted, the methamphetamine distribution count and each of the assault counts carry a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Victor Solorzano is also charged with three firearm offenses. If convicted, one of those, relating to the drug count, is punishable by not less than five years and up to life, and the other two, relating to the two assault counts, are each punishable by not less than 25 years and up to life. These sentences must run consecutive to each other and consecutive to any sentences for the drug and assault offenses. Edgar Solorzano is also charged with one firearm offense, and it relates to one of the assault counts. If convicted, because it involves the discharge of a firearm, it is punishable by not less than 10 years and up to life, and this sentence must run consecutive to any sentences for the drug and assault offenses.

The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation that would require the defendants, upon conviction, to forfeit 22 firearms and assorted ammunition, as well as nearly $4,000 in cash seized from them on November 19, 2015.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dallas Police Department are conducting the investigation. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull are in charge of the prosecution.